Pipe cleaning apparatus



July 16, 1935 y H.'FORD PIPE CLEANFINGV APPARATUS Filed may 16, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor July 16, 1935.

H. F ORD PIPE CLEANING APPARATUS Filed May 16, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 w n C v n I July 16, 1935. H. FORD PIPE CLEANING APPARATUS Filed May 16, 1933 5 Sheet-Sheet 3 f1 llomcy Patented July 16, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,008,100 PIPE CLEANING APPARATUS Henry Ford, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application May 16, 1933, Serial No. 671,397

2 Claims.

An important object of the invention is to' provide a pipe cleaner guide and water drain device, which will permit the convenient insertion of a cleaning element into a service line and at the same time take care of the inflow of water.

These and various other important objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following specification.

In the drawings:-

Figure 1 represents a side elevational view of i the entire apparatus.

Figure 2 represents a top plan view of the reel and cleaning element rotating assembly.

Figure 3 represents a vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 33 of Figure 2 with the exception of the motor and without showing the cleaning element.

Figure 4 represents a sectional view taken substantially on line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 represents a side elevational view, partly in section, of the cleaning element feed means.

Figure 6 represents an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view through the water drain-out barrel.

Figure 7 represents a cross sectional view taken substantially on line 1---! of Figure 6.

Figure 8 represents a side elevational view, partly in section, showing the driving handle.

Figure 9 represents a side elevational view of the cleaning element.

Figure 10 represents a cross sectional view taken substantially on line l'lll of Figure 9.

Figure 11 represents a longitudinal sectional view through a portion of'thecleaning element.-

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen in Figures 1, 2 and 3 that the reel and rotating means are generally referred to by the numeral and consist of a chassis frame 6 having wheels 1 thereon for support upon the trackway 8. A trianguvmediate portion of the barrel 24 and to this can lPr shaped frame 9 is located at one end of the name 6 and slightly inwardly of the opposite end is located another triangular shaped frame I 0, while at this end of the chassis frame 6 is mounted the electric motor II, the armature shaft of 6 which is equipped with a pinion gear I2 in mesh with the large gear wheel I3 which is secured to the rotating frame M. This frame I4 is provided with end trunnions l 5-I6, the trunnion l 5 being disposed through a bearing in the frame I0, while the trunnion I6 is hollow andis disposed through a bearing in the frame 9. The trunnion l6 extends a substantial distance beyond the outside of the frame 9 and has set screws I'l thereon which can be operated to clamp the cleaning element, generally referred to by numeral l8, to the trunnion I6. The weight of the assembly is substantially equally divided on each side of the frame l0 and, therefore, a suitable handle I9 is provided on this frame l0 whereby the assembly can be easily transported manually from place to place.

Extending transversely through the frame I4 is the shaft having the cleaning element reel 2| thereon. The ends of this shaft 20 project beyond the opposite sides of theframe l4 and are polygonally formed to accommodate a crank 22 whereby the reel can be rotated manuallyfor retracting the cleaning element IS.

The foregoing describes the assembly 5. Numeral 23 generally refers to the water drainoff and feed means and this consists of a barrel 24 to which one end of an elongated sleeve 25 connects, as at 26. .This sleeve 25 has a tube 21 extending therefrom and this is secured and packed at its opposite end within the end a of the barrel 24 which connects to the water service pipe 28, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. A connecting boss 29 is provided at the interbe connected the drain pipe 30.

An elongated tubular member 3| is slidably disposed in the sleeve 25 and has a set screw 32 at its outer end for clamping the cleaningelement l8 thereto during the operation of feeding the cleaning element through the tube 21 and service pipe 28. The member 32 is provided with a grease cup 3|a so as to maintain the same constanty charged with grease to prevent the seepage of water from the barrel 24 between the cleaning element and the said member 32.

Slidable on the cleaning element I8 is a driver 33 of tubular construction, the same being pro- -vided with a head 34 and obviously, when the cleaning element l8 has been secured in the member 3|, after the member 3| has been reis moved outwardly on the element l8 from thesleeve 25, where it is again secured to the cleaning element and the operation repeated by hammering against the outer end of the tubular member 31 with the driver 33. This operation is continued until the street main is reached and at this point, considerable water flows into the barrel 24, passes into the tube 21, but quickly passes outwardly through the perforations 35 therein to the barrel l4 and out of the barrel M by way of the drain pipe 3|], so that very little of the water can get into the sleeve 25. The sleeve can be packed at its outer end, as at 36, and the outer end of the member 3| can be greased to further prevent water from escaping, should a slight amount get this far along the cleaning element. During the operation of feeding the cleaning element, the cleaning element is being rotated, as is the tubular rod 3| and obviously the cleaning operation is taking place continuously from the time the cleaning element enters the service pipe 28 until it reaches the main. It will be observed that the perforated tube serves as a guide between the sleeve 25 and the service pipe connection 8 for guiding the cleaning element into the service pipe.

The cleaning element 18 is clearly shown in detail in Figures 9, 10 and 11, and this consists of an elongated metallic strand (preferably metallic) 38 Wrapped by a coil 39 of wire or some other suitable material, with the convolutions in snug relation. This strand 38 is fixed with respect to the coil 39 and preferably has no sliding action therein.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerouschanges in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the claimed as new is:-

1. Feed and drain means for pipe cleaning apparatus consisting of a barrel, a cleaning element receiving guide tube extending through the barrel and having perforations at its portion within the barrel, means at one end of the barrel for connecting the same to a service pipe, and means at the opposite end of the,tube whereby a cleaning element can be fed into the said perforated tube. and. guided by said tube into the service pipe, said barrel having a water outlet.

2. Feed and drain means for pipe cleaning apparatus consisting of a barrel, a cleaning element receiving guide tube extending through the barrel and having perforations at its portion within the barrel, means at one end of the barrel for connecting the same to a service pipe, and means at the opposite end of the tube whereby a cleaning element can be fedinto the said perforated tube and guided by said tube into the service pipe, a water outlet for the barrel, said invention, what is last mentioned means comprising an elongated tubular member through which the cleaning elements can be disposed and means on the said tubular member for securing the cleaning element therein.

HENRY FORD. 

